The Overseas dimensions of British chemical societies, 1890-1950

Abstract

Drawing on the ongoing project, 'Studies of the British Chemical Community, 1880-1970', this article points out the very considerable overseas component of the British chemical community. Over the period 1887-1956, about one-third of the 47,000 plus individuals who joined one or more of the three principal British chemical organizations – the Chemical Society, the [Royal] Institute of Chemistry, or the Society of Chemical Industry – had a non-UK component in their career. Furthermore, some 16 per cent at the start of the twentieth century, rising to about a quarter of the individuals joining the societies after the Second World War, had a non-UK component in their education. Chemists working overseas were highly mobile, both geographically and across employment sectors. Though it is hardly surprising that the Dominions feature, the USA and Europe were also important